Team Sky rider Ben Swift talks to Metro about his preparations for the London 2012 Olympics and reveals how the home crowd can sometimes, unintentionally, actually be a hindrance.

Team GB’s Ben Swift talks to Metro about the home support at the London 2012 Olympics (Pic: Getty)

Youâve had a few days to get used to the new velodrome, what do you think of it?

It was nice just getting on the track, it felt pretty fast. But itâs always hard to say because they always feel fast with a lot of teams out there.

From the outside it looks like it could become the most iconic Olympic venue. Whatâs it like on the inside?

Itâs quite a weird place because the stands are really high but the roof in the middle is really low â unlike Manchester, which feels massive because itâs got a big high roof. It feels pretty cool.

You mainly competed on the road last year. Howâs the transition to the track been?

Track and road training go pretty much hand in hand. Iâve been getting a lot of road training in but, with London 2012, the best chance of me winning gold is on the track so thatâs where Iâm trying to put my focus.

And how have you found it settling into the environment of the track squad, training for the team pursuit?

Itâs good. Iâve grown up with all the guys here â a lot of us came through the junior and U23 ranks and have done a lot of team pursuiting so itâs quite cool doing it with your mates.

Who are the main threats to a British gold medal in the team pursuit this week?

Four teams are really going to feature here, at the world championships in April and at the Olympics. Itâs going to be us, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. Theyâre the big four who I see challenging for the medals. Youâve also got Denmark, who were second in Beijing, but theyâve gone off the boil a little bit so it will be interesting to see what they do. But I canât see past the four I mentioned.

Youâre a member of the team pursuit squad but youâre riding in the multi-discipline omnium this weekend. Tell us about it.

Itâs crazy, a mad event. Itâs frustrating to have just missed out on selection for the TP, but Iâm here to race. The omnium isnât my main event, so when itâs not been your focus that can be a bit annoying but Iâm here now so I just want to race. The event suits Ed Clancy [the world champion] better but if I get a good result this week then Iâll be in the frame for selection.

And whatever the event itâs going to be good riding in front of a home crowd in the first meeting at the Olympic venue?

The home crowd is awesome. They really love it when a GB rider or GB team gets on the boards. Sometimes though it can actually be a bit too much because you go to attack and theyâre all shouting and youâre trying to use stealth! But, itâs brilliant, I wouldnât change it.

Any nerves?

Itâs not really nervous energy itâs kind of like excitement. Youâre eager and ready to get going.